Hacker News
1Apple's Software Quality Crisis
- A user expresses frustration with their iPad Air M2's performance issues, particularly when using Notes and Freeform with Apple Pencil Pro. Despite hardware replacements and software updates, problems persist with lag, overheating, and responsiveness, suggesting broader software quality issues in Apple's ecosystem.
Software quality decline
Widespread deterioration in Apple's software quality across apps and services, with bugs in basic features like Notes, Phone, Messages. Users report crashes, syncing issues, UI glitches. Some blame Apple's yearly release cycle and changing priorities.Apple hardware vs software
Contrast between Apple's excellent hardware and struggling software. Apple's M-series chips and build quality praised while software APIs, bugs, and UI issues frustrate developers and users. Some see software as afterthought to hardware business.Apple Music woes
Users lament Apple Music's decline compared to iTunes, citing frequent crashes, sync issues, poor UI. Many see it as emblematic of Apple's software problems. Users describe basic functionality breaking and interface becoming less usable over time.
2Repairable Flatpack Toaster
- Innovative toaster concept designed with repairability in mind, utilizing a flatpack construction method that makes it easier to fix and maintain.
Repairability and durability
Discussion of reliable toaster brands like Dualit and vintage Sunbeam, with emphasis on repairability and longevity. Modern cheap toasters criticized for short lifespan, while expensive repairable models praised for long-term value.DIY assembly safety
Debate about safety concerns of DIY mains-powered appliances, referencing historical British practices of selling appliances without plugs and liability issues around user assembly of electrical devices.Consumer behavior
Analysis of consumer tendencies to choose cheaper, disposable appliances over repairable premium versions, despite potential long-term cost benefits. Discussion of repair shops and cultural attitudes toward fixing vs replacing.
3Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
- A hobbyist shares their journey of creating Bayleaf, a custom wireless split keyboard, detailing their learning experience in electronics, PCB design, and hardware manufacturing as a beginner, along with a detailed case study of the build process.
Low profile keyboards
Debate about ergonomics of low-profile vs standard height keyboards, with discussion around wrist positioning, palm rests, and typing comfort. Some prefer low-profile for reduced strain, others find it uncomfortable without proper wrist support.Ortholinear layout
Discussion of grid-style key arrangement vs traditional staggered layout. Users share experiences adapting to ortholinear, with mixed opinions on typing speed and comfort. Some report quick adaptation, others struggled for months.Market interest
Multiple comments expressing willingness to purchase the keyboard at premium prices. Several users requested notification lists for potential future production runs and praised the design aesthetics.
4TSMC expected to announce $100B investment in U.S.
- TSMC announced plans to invest over $100 billion in U.S. chip manufacturing, including three new chip plants, two packaging facilities, and an R&D center in Arizona. The announcement was made during CEO C.C. Wei's White House appearance with President Trump.
Taiwan's defensive value
Discussion about whether TSMC's US expansion weakens Taiwan's strategic importance to US defense commitments, with many arguing chip manufacturing was Taiwan's key leverage for US protection.Trump administration's reliability
Debate over whether the current US administration would defend Taiwan, with references to Trump's Ukraine statements and apparent transactional approach to international relations.Manufacturing feasibility
Discussion of practical challenges of chip manufacturing in Arizona, focusing on water requirements, recycling capabilities, and comparison to existing Intel facilities in the region.
5U.S. pauses all military aid to Ukraine
- President Trump will suspend military aid to Ukraine until President Zelensky demonstrates commitment to peace talks with Russia. A White House official stated that aid is being reviewed to ensure it contributes to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Support for Ukraine
Discussion of various donation channels and aid organizations supporting Ukraine, including government platform U24, defense funds, and humanitarian aid initiatives.US credibility impact
Debate over how US withdrawal of Ukraine support affects international credibility, NATO alliances, and global power dynamics, with concerns about emboldening Russia and weakening European security.Nuclear proliferation consequences
Discussion of how abandoning Ukraine sends message to other nations to pursue nuclear weapons and shows that military might trumps international law, potentially leading to increased global instability.
6Public health data disappeared. RestoredCDC.org is bringing it back
- The content covers CDC's health information resources, featuring topics like respiratory illnesses, disease outbreaks, and food safety. Recent news highlights include bird flu cases, food-related outbreaks, and scientific publications. The CDC aims to make health science accessible while advancing research and health equity through journals like MMWR, EID, and PCD.
Archive.org support
Discussion about importance of donating to Archive.org, with debate about whether US-based archives are vulnerable to censorship and need for additional backup solutions.CDC content removal
Discussion of CDC website pages being removed or modified in 2025, particularly content related to women's health, LGBTQ health, and other topics, following executive orders.Preserving government data
Discussion about technical solutions for preserving removed government content, including proposals for new TLDs, mirror sites, and concerns about maintaining access to scientific/medical information.
7Ask HN: Who is hiring? (March 2025)
- A guide for job posting etiquette requiring location details (REMOTE/ONSITE), direct hiring company posts only, active positions, and constructive interactions. Includes resources for job searchers and links to related hiring threads for those seeking work or freelance opportunities.
Development jobs - remote
Multiple companies advertising remote software engineering positions, including LiveKit, MongoDB, and Layer Health, with focus on AI/ML, infrastructure, and full-stack development roles.Social impact tech
Organizations like Onja and Toontown offering opportunities to use tech skills for social good - training underprivileged youth in Madagascar and raising charity funds through gaming.Climate/energy tech
Companies like TerraAI and Return working on technological solutions for climate change and renewable energy transition through AI-powered geological modeling and battery storage systems.
8The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils (2022)
- The article details the history of Japanese pencil manufacturing, focusing on Tombow's groundbreaking HOMO pencil launch in 1952. It explores the rivalry between Tombow and Mitsubishi Pencil, highlighting their innovations, technical advancements, and the subsequent Golden Age of Japanese pencils from 1952 to 1967.
Japanese stationery excellence
Japanese brands lead in stationery quality, from everyday items to luxury goods. Discussion covers pens, pencils, paper with special focus on fountain pens, mechanical pencils, and high-end notebooks. Both historical excellence and modern innovations highlighted.Pencil craftsmanship
Quality differences in pencil manufacturing, focusing on lead centering, sharpening quality, and specialized uses. Users share experiences with various brands and types, including wood pencils vs mechanical pencils and specialty testing pencils.Brand similarities
Discussion of Japanese company names/logos that appear similar but are unrelated, like Mitsubishi Pencil vs Mitsubishi Group and multiple Asahi companies. Reveals common Japanese naming conventions and trademark complexities.
9SQLite-on-the-server is misunderstood: Better at hyper-scale than micro-scale
- SQLite, traditionally seen as a simple database for small projects, shows significant potential for large-scale server applications. Using solutions like Cloudflare Durable Objects and Turso, it can rival sharded databases by offering dynamic scaling, global distribution, and efficient data management while maintaining SQL capabilities and ACID compliance.
SQLite performance and benchmarks
Discussion of SQLite vs PostgreSQL performance, with users sharing benchmark results showing SQLite being faster in some cases, while noting configuration options and tradeoffs impact relative performance.Local-first database syncing
Various approaches to syncing SQLite databases between local and cloud, including solutions like Litestream, cr-sqlite, and manual syncing. Users discuss tradeoffs between simplicity and handling multi-user conflicts.Database per partition approach
Debate around using separate SQLite databases per tenant/partition vs global tables, with discussion of scaling challenges, use cases where it works well (B2B SaaS), and where global visibility is still needed.
10Youth and what happens when it's gone
- A writer reflects on his early ambitions to become a published author before 30, inspired by young literary prodigies. Despite his failures to achieve this goal, he grapples with aging, lost potential, and the shift from youthful possibilities to the realities of middle age, particularly in relation to his writing aspirations.
Accepting imperfection
Discussion explores the shift from youth's perfectionist ambitions to accepting flaws with age, with some arguing this acceptance brings peace while others see it as premature surrender to mediocrity.Living with fewer possibilities
Debate about how middle age brings fixed commitments and fewer life possibilities, with some lamenting this loss while others suggest finding meaning in deepening existing choices rather than expanding options.Success and recognition
Examines the drive for exceptional achievement and recognition, particularly in youth, with contrasting views on whether pursuing acclaim brings fulfillment versus finding joy in daily life and personal growth.